Galatians 5:13

“For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty, etc..] He calls them “brethren”, to testify his affection to them, and to put them in mind of their relation to one another, which required mutual love, a thing he is about to press them to; he asserts that they were “called” not merely externally, but internally, by the effectual grace of God, out of bondage to sin, Satan, and the law, unto the liberty of the Gospel and of the grace of God; that liberty wherewith Christ had made them free, (<480501>Galatians 5:1) this he said in a judgment of charity, hoping well of them: only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh; corrupt nature, which in unregenerate men takes encouragement from, and…”

“The "ye" is emphatical, from its position in the Greek, "Ye brethren"; as opposed to those legalists "who trouble you." unto liberty--The Greek expresses, "on a footing of liberty." The state or condition in which ye have been called to salvation, is one of liberty. Gospel liberty consists in three things, freedom from the Mosaic yoke, from sin, and from slavish fear. only, &c.--Translate, "Only turn not your liberty into an occasion for the flesh." Do not give the flesh the handle or pretext (Rom 7:8, "occasion") for its indulgence which it eagerly seeks for; do not let it make Christian "liberty" its pretext for indulgence (Gal 5:16-17; Pe1 2:16; Pe2 2:19; Jde 1:4). but by love serve one…”

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty - Freedom from Jewish rites and ceremonies; see the notes at Galatians 3:28; Galatians 4:9, note, Galatians 4:21-31, note. The meaning here is, that Paul wished the false teachers removed because true Christians had been called unto liberty, and they were abridging and destroying that liberty. They were not in subjection to the Law of Moses, or to anything else that savored of bondage. They were free; free from the servitude of sin, and free from subjection to expensive and burdensome rites and customs. They were to remember this as a great and settled principle; and so vital a truth was this, and so important that it should be maintained, and…”

“Ye have been called to liberty - From sin and misery, as well as from the ceremonial law. Only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh - Take not occasion from hence to gratify corrupt nature. But by love serve one another - And hereby show that Christ has made you free. Galatians 5:14”

“5:13–6:10 Having shown that justification comes by faith alone, Paul now addresses the question, “If we don’t keep the law, then what will guide our conduct?” His answer is that righteousness comes from the Spirit. The Judaizers probably warned that Paul’s message of freedom (5:1) would put believers on a slippery slope to moral ruin. Paul argues that freedom is not a license to sin, because love guides Christians. Liberty should be used to serve one another in love (cp. 2:20; 2 Cor 5:14-15).”

“ye: Gal 5:1, Gal 4:5-7, Gal 4:22-31; Isa 61:1; Luk 4:18; Joh 8:32-36; Rom 6:18-22 only: Co1 8:9; Pe1 2:16; Pe2 2:19; Jde 1:4, Jde 1:10-12 but: Gal 5:14, Gal 5:22, Gal 6:2; Mar 10:43-45; Joh 13:14, Joh 13:15; Act 20:35; Rom 15:1, Rom 15:2; Co1 9:19; Co1 13:4-7; Co2 4:5, Co2 12:15; Th1 1:3; Jam 2:15-17; Jo1 3:16-19 Galatians 5:14”